Before today’s announcement, the future of the Pro Bowl was in doubt, in large part because the quality of the game had dropped significantly in recent years, with many players opting out of the game, and others clearly playing at half-speed, with little attempt to tackle.

The 2012 Pro Bowl was low-key enough that former Bronco safety Brian Dawkins was able to play despite a nerve issue in his neck that had kept him out of the Broncos’ playoff run. Several players in that game also tried out new positions, including a short stint at safety by Broncos running back Willis McGahee.

“The players believe that the Pro Bowl is an important tradition,” said NFLPA President (and former Bronco) Domonique Foxworth said in a statement issued by the NFL and NFLPA. “We worked hard with the league to make sure the best players in the NFL are honored for their achievements on the field.”

With all due respect to Domonique Foxworth, the Pro Bowl last year was a joke. It was an insult to football fans, players and the league. Hopefully, the looming threat to abandon the game will be enough to keep a situation like that from happening again.

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.